Proposal in New Kent includes a winery and much more among 2,400 homes

BY MELODIE N. MARTIN
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Oct 3, 2004

Developers are proposing an ambitious resort-style development in New Kent County that would include a winery, a polo field, 1 million square feet of commercial space and 2,400 homes.

Recently submitted plans for The Farms of New Kent also include an 18-hole golf course, horse stables, village areas, a bed and breakfast, an inn and resort cottages.

The 2,500-acre site is north of Interstate 64 along state Route 106 in Talleysville.

"This is an exciting project, an exceptional project," said Pete Johns, a partner in the group of developers, New Kent Farms LLC. "It will change the future of the county in a positive way."
   

If the proposal is approved by county leaders this winter, developers hope to break ground on the 20-year project by spring.

An expanded version of the vineyard-themed project received such heated opposition less than a year ago that developers withdrew their application and did some pruning. The original application called for 3,600 homes, which opponents said was too much for the rural county of about 13,500 residents.

New Kent Farms LLC hopes its plans and public opinion have improved with age.

The Farms of New Kent was a campaign issue for Supervisor Mark Hill, who in November 2003 defeated a supporter of the development.

Hill said that even with one-third fewer homes, the Farms still would be the single largest development in the county.

"There were parts of their plan that I liked and parts I still like today," Hill said. "And there are some we need to address."

The developers include Johns, Pace Fonville, Boddie Noell Enterprises Inc., Republic Properties and K. Hovnanian's Four Seasons.

Johns said he fell in love with the property after coming to the county in 1988 to help bring Colonial Downs to New Kent.

After touring vineyards and wineries in the state, Johns had the theme for a lifestyle development that would transform New Kent from a "no man's land between Richmond and Williamsburg" to a destination, he said.

"We thought we needed something unique and different."

Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and a native grape known as the Norton were planted on the site with the hope they one day would be harvested and made into wine grown and bottled in New Kent. Johns anticipates the winery will produce 20,000 cases a year.

The vineyards would be part of landscaped buffers that would maintain a rural appearance along the development's roadways.

The majority of the homes, 1,450, would be in a gated, age-restricted community with amenities such as a clubhouse, ballroom and tennis courts for residents 55 and older.

Developers propose 450 traditional single-family homes in an adjacent area that would include a swim club, recreational complex and farmers' market.

The most expensive housing would be near the golf course and winery, where 300 estate homes on large lots are proposed. The area also would feature 100 seasonal resort cottages, a bed and breakfast, a restaurant, a 60-room country inn and spa, and vineyards.

A village area near the intersection of state Routes 106 and 249 would include commercial spaces, 200 residences and possibly a church.

County resident Lisa Guthrie, who vocally opposed the last application, expressed skepticism of the new plans.

"It shows that they were listening, because they have made some concessions in terms of density and recognized that they need to make it look rural," Guthrie said. "But it may turn out to be just prettier sprawl with just a minor improvement to the density."

In addition to cash proffers, the project would include a site for a fire and rescue station, road improvements and construction of utilities.

The developers plan to hold a community meeting this month. The Planning Commission may discuss the application as early as its Nov. 15 meeting.